Everton eye up Reo-Coker to give Curbishley an early poser

Alan Curbishley will face an immediate challenge on taking the reins at West Ham United after it emerged that Everton are preparing to lodge a bid for his captain, Nigel Reo-Coker, when the transfer window reopens next month.

Curbishley would not be drawn on Reo-Coker's future at his first press conference at Upton Park yesterday, though he will be aware that the England Under-21 international's form has been sluggish this term, a legacy perhaps of his failure to see a deadline day transfer to Arsenal materialise in August.

It is understood that move was blocked by the then West Ham manager Alan Pardew, though the midfielder has come in for criticism from supporters as the team have struggled this term, with Everton sufficiently encouraged to believe they could prise him away. That intent could yet prompt Arsenal and Manchester United to rekindle their interest in the 22-year-old former MK Dons midfielder.

David Moyes has confirmed that his transfer priority will be to sign a central midfielder, potentially allowing Phil Nev-ille to revert to right-back. Yet the Everton manager may have to raise funds to secure Reo-Coker, valued at around £10m after his impressive first Premiership season last summer, which could prompt the departures of James Beattie and even Simon Davies from Goodison Park.

Everton would hope to raise around £5m for Beattie, a £6m signing from Southampton in January 2005, though that would dissuade suitors - Newcastle among them - given his indifferent form since moving. Fulham could revive their own long-standing interest in Davies, with Everton also keen to add the United States international Clint Dempsey, currently with Colorado Rapids, to their squad.

Curbishley, flanked by West Ham's new chairman Eggert Magnusson, has yet to assess his playing squad but hinted that changes may be needed if the club are to arrest an alarming decline this term which has left them mired in the relegation zone. "There has been a lot spoken about transfers and I'm aware there are some funds," he said. "If we need to spend it, and talking like any manager, we will spend it."